From Icelandic nature poetry to the Indian caste system, from power regimes to post-industrial cities – this wide range of topics was covered in the series of programs "Homo Cultus. There and Back" by scientist Arvydas Grišinas.
A. Grišinas, senior researcher at the Department of Ethnography and Anthropology of the Lithuanian Institute of History, prepared 12 radio programs in collaboration with LRT Klasika during the summer. The programs, aimed at a wide audience, provided an opportunity to become more familiar with the discipline of anthropology and its most interesting aspects, as well as to hear the insights and experiences of Lithuanian anthropologists.
"The variety of topics was a deliberate decision. First of all, I wanted to introduce listeners to anthropology in general and its various perspectives. It was also important for me to show the different approaches, methods, and topics in this field. Of course, I also wanted to introduce the public to Lithuanian anthropologists and their work, and to present the latest research being conducted," says A. Grišinas.
The scientist's guests on the program were anthropologists conducting research both in Lithuania and in the most remote corners of the world. This series of programs not only provided an insight into their research, but also helped to better understand its significance in the modern context.
In the programs, A. Grišinas talked with his guests about both the acceptance and rapprochement of "the other" and the unfamiliarity of "one's own." The scientists discussed such geographically distant topics as the lifestyle of Mongolian nomads and the Hakka community in Chinese society, and looked at closer phenomena: the collection of aid for Ukraine in Lithuania and the formulas for value and happiness left by the famous Vilnius Rožytė.
At the beginning of September, LRT Klasika aired the last episode of the series Homo Cultus. There and Back. However, all of the episodes created by A. Grišinas this season can be found in the LRT radio library:
"State borders and their disregard: a conversation with Dr. Ieva Jusionytė," 2025 06 18.
"The history and relevance of anthropological and ethnological research today with Vida Savoniakaitė," 2025 06 25.
"Visual anthropology and ethnographic cinema with Narius Kairys," July 2, 2025.
"Chinese culture and the Hakka community with Balys Astrauskas," July 9, 2025.
"On ethnic minorities and identities with Darius Daukšas," July 16, 2025.
"Fundraising for Ukraine and other rituals with Beatričė Juškaitė," July 23, 2025.
"The Indian caste system and diaspora in Lithuania with Kristina Garalytė," July 30, 2025.
"Regimes of Power and People's Experiences in Their Presence with Neringa Klumbytė," August 6, 2025.
"The cultural and natural poetry of Iceland with Vaida Bražiūnaitė," August 13, 2025.
"Kitinimas" and refugees in our society with Raminta Jakucevičienė," August 20, 2025.
"The Anthropology of Post-Industrial Cities with Aušra Teleišė," August 27, 2025.
"Nomads of Southeastern Russia and Mongolia with Donatas Brandišauskas," September 3, 2025.
